Daniel Smeenk, Author at Niagara Now

U.S. tourism revenue down for Niagara Parks, international tourism up — so far

Niagara Parks’ CEO says it’s too early to call an overall trend to attention, or whether the spring months’ numbers are an anomaly.

Rotary’s summer cocktail fundraiser is back and rebranded

The Rotary Club hopes guests will don their best cocktail attire and enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, and what it calls “Niagara’s finest food and wine.”

At $786 per resident, service levy to Niagara police not fair for NOTL: Kaiser

“Why would they put additional funds on their taxpayers and their municipality? I think it’s our job to be fair and treat everyone in the municipality fairly,” said Regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser.

Trees top of mind as council approves Konik Estates development

Although the original agreement called for preserving two rows of trees, the developer removed one of them and the other was later taken down after a health assessment found the trees posed a risk during windstorms.

NOTL Museum hopes to answer who really won the War of 1812

Who won the War of 1812? That will be the big question when American historian Donald Hickey and Canadian Ronald Dale meet each other on a panel at the NOTL Museum on July 12.

Canada Day cake parade a great, tasty success

This year, the Canada Day cake came together not only due to the hard work of Willow Cakes & Pastries, but also thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from the local community.

‘Nowhere and everywhere, all at once’: Wind phone at public library aids in grieving

What started as a concept in Japan to help those grieving the loss of loved ones has become a worldwide phenomenon: “We hope it’s able to bring comfort, connection and a small measure of peace to those navigating a bereavement journey.”

Tawny Ridge Estates closer to reality with green light given for 12 new homes

Some are looking forward to seeing more family homes being built in the neighbourhood, while others say St. Davids isn’t ready for more development. Both residents and councillors still have questions about plans for local stormwater management.

NOTL Hydro president explains cause of rising power outages amid questions from residents

NOTL Hydro’s president attributes the rise in power outages over the course of the past year to a loss of power supply from Hydro One, fallen dead trees, accidents and equipment problems.

‘The province doesn’t care what we feel’: Pushback against bills 5 and 17 builds in NOTL

Critics of these new bills say they will clear the way for more development without limitations and could encroach on environmental protection in Ontario.

NOTL celebrates Canada Day with art, music, fireworks and free fun

Niagara-on-the-Lake is set to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday in style this Tuesday, with a full day of festivities ranging from fireworks to fine art and free museum access.

Residents share concerns about Royal George Theatre rebuild’s size, historical character

The new theatre being proposed would be noticeably larger and occupy more of downtown Old Town, moved slightly further north from its current location on Queen Street and seat around 360 people.

Speed camera at Crossroads down for a third time in a less than a month

Niagara Region is looking into having extra reinforcements to help prevent more cameras from being vandalized, plus a closed-circuit TV to monitor the site.

Visual art signs now permitted across NOTL’s roads

The definition of visual art under this new rule is “original pieces of art” such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and inflation art, “used to reflect or engage the community.”

Local tulip farmer apologizes for weather-related spring festival dilemma

TASC Tulip Pick Farm’s owner paid a visit to council to apologize for the tumult and establish a better relationship with the community going forward.

As NOTL’s climate co-ordinator celebrates first 100 days, activists are hoping for more action

The Town of NOTL has a multi-pronged plan to tackle climate change locally, spearheaded by its new climate co-ordinator. But environmental activists like Lidija Biro say the municipal’s efforts on the issue have been “minimal.”

With the vacation rental licensing freeze ending soon, NOTLers weigh in on future of rental rules

“Bed and breakfasts and country inns need to separate from other short-term rentals,” said Doug Johnson, who owned a bed and breakfast in NOTL for 19 years. “Bed and breakfast owners have to live in their place … If residents were bothering people, they were bothering me, too.”

Strawberry Social attracts packed crowd at NOTL Community Centre

“I’ve been coming since the beginning,” said Lucy Harder, one of the event attendees. “I love seeing people in the town coming together.”

Graham Claus, descendant of Wilderness owners, returns in private visit

After a long period of disconnection from an important piece of family history, Claus, the oldest living descendant of the original Wilderness owners, got to see a private viewing of an indelible part of his family history before the end of his life.

20 years after Ontario’s landmark disability act, NOTL still struggles to be accessible

While there are limitations around how buildings in the Historic Old Town can be updated to include accessibility features, two NOTLers who are part of the region’s joint accessibility advisory committee say they believe making heritage buildings accessible can, in the long run, increase their revenue.

Down it goes, again: Traffic camera beside Crossroads vandalized a second time

Police say they have no updates on a suspect for either vandalism. Niagara Region is looking to find ways to make the camera more difficult to bring down.

Strawberry Festival to celebrate its 40th anniversary on June 21

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is ready to ring in the start of summer with the return of its annual Strawberry Festival, which will see an estimated 5,500 people come out to the church on June 21 to enjoy tasty strawberry goods — a tradition four decades in the making.

Author's Latest